Green Notes September 2018: Grants available to clean up, restore and protect natural resources

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green notes

Funding available to clean up, restore and protect natural resources

Hennepin County has a variety of grants available for projects that clean up, restore and protect natural resources.

Natural resources good steward grants

Rain garden

Grants are available for projects that implement best management practices to preserve and restore critical habitats, reduce erosion and reduce the amount of nutrients and sediment going into lakes, rivers and streams. Past grants have supported practices such as rain gardens, prairie plantings, shoreline restorations and drainage improvements. Government agencies, organizations and private landowners are eligible to apply. Applications are due November 9. Learn more and apply.

Grants to clean up contaminated properties

Applications are being accepted now for the next round of Environmental Response Fund (ERF) grants. The Hennepin County Environmental Response Fund provides funding for the assessment and cleanup of contaminated sites where the added costs of environmental cleanup is a barrier to site improvement or redevelopment. Projects supported by ERF grants provide a variety of community benefits, including developing affordable or moderately priced housing, promoting economic development, creating green space, and improving infrastructure. Applications are due by November 1. Learn more and apply.

Funding to establish conservation easements

Conservation easement

Hennepin County recently accepted a grant from the State of Minnesota Outdoor Heritage Fund to permanently preserve some of the county’s most unique and important natural areas. The county, in partnership with Minnesota Land Trust, was awarded $1.5 million to expand conservation easement acquisition and habitat restoration activities.

A conservation easement is a set of development restrictions that a landowner voluntarily places on their property to permanently protect its natural resources. The landowner is compensated for the value of the easement and retains ownership of the land.

If you have questions about the conservation easement program or have a property you are interested in protecting, contact Dave Thill at david.thill@hennepin.us or 612-348-0124.

Grants to enhance the tree canopy

Tree planting

Hennepin County will be offering grants to cities and affordable housing properties to enhance the county’s tree canopy. The goal of these grants is to support efforts to educate the public on tree care and the importance of trees, combat threats to trees from invasive insects and disease, and promote the development of a more diverse and resilient tree canopy.

Grants will be available to cities to conduct tree inventories, develop tree management plants, plan and maintain trees, replace ash trees, conduct outreach, and develop gravel-bed nurseries. Grants will be available to affordable housing properties to remove ash trees and plant new trees.

More information about the grant application process and due date will be available soon at www.hennepin.us/trees.

Proposed recycling ordinance revisions available for review

Hennepin County is in the process of revising its recycling ordinance, and proposed ordinance revisions are now available in preparation for the public hearing on October 2.

Staff made edits to the ordinance revisions based on comments received through the public comment period in July and August. The ordinance 13 public comment feedback report (PDF) provides a summary of the 350 comments received. 

Public hearing set for October 2

A public hearing is set for the Hennepin County Board of Commissioners to receive testimony from the public on proposed revisions. 

  • When: Tuesday, October 2, 2018, at 1:30 p.m. or as soon thereafter as practicable  
  • Where: A-2400 Hennepin County Government Center Board Room, 300 South Sixth Street, Minneapolis 

Written comments will be accepted by mail to Hennepin County Environment and Energy, 701 Fourth Ave S., Suite 700, Minneapolis, MN 55415 or email to environment@hennepin.us through October 1, 2018.

Hennepin Healthcare opens three medicine drop boxes

Hennepin Healthcare medicine drop box

Hennepin Healthcare recently opened three medicine drop boxes. Drop boxes are now available at Hennepin Healthcare clinics and pharmacies in downtown Minneapolis, Whittier, and Richfield.

Disposing of unused or unwanted medicines at a drop box is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect the environment.

Throughout the county, there are now 16 medicine drop boxes operated in partnership with Hennepin County and many more operated by independent pharmacies. See a map, location details and hours or operation for the drop boxes at www.hennepin.us/medicine. In addition, an updated medicine disposal program flyer (PDF) is now available.

For more information, contact Ryan Gastecki at ryan.gastecki@hennepin.us or 612-348-8994.

County seeks multifamily properties to participate in pilot project focused on culturally competent recycling outreach

Apartment recycling

Apartment buildings, townhouses, condos and other multifamily properties often struggle to maintain good recycling programs. Sometimes participation is low or residents aren’t sure which items to place in which bin. This can be especially challenging at properties where language or cultural barriers exist because many of the residents are English language learners or new immigrants.

To address these challenges, Hennepin County is looking for properties to participate in a pilot program to test culturally tailored education and outreach methods to improve recycling at multifamily properties. The pilot will start in January 2019 and last for four to six months.

If you are a resident of or know of a property that might be interested in participating, have the property manager contact Kirsten Wahlberg at kirsten.wahlberg@hennepin.us or 612-348-6846.

More boat cleaning stations available to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species

Boat cleaning outpost station

CD3 boat cleaning stations give boaters the tools needed to help prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. They inform boaters of the best management practices of cleaning, draining, drying and disposing of bait and give them the tools they need to take action.

“Outpost” stations are being installed at four public accesses on lakes in Hennepin County. Compared to the full-size CD3 stations, these outposts are a simplified, lower-cost, off-the-grid option that continue to empower boaters to take the clean-drain-dry-dispose actions.

The CD3 stations have been popular with public access users. The station at the Spring Park public access to Lake Minnetonka has gotten nearly 5,000 uses since 2017, and the stations at the Long Lake access and the North Arm access to Lake Minnetonka have both seen about 2,500 uses this season.

Two new outpost stations have been installed at the Spring Park public access on Lake Minnetonka, and soon stations will be available at Parkers Lake in Plymouth, Lake Sarah in Independence, and Weaver Lake in Maple Grove.

For more information, contact Tony Brough at tony.brough@hennepin.us or 612-348-4378.

In the News

Invasive carp removed from Lake Minnetonka headwaters

The Minnehaha Creek Watershed District is starting a project to remove invasive carp from lakes that drain into Lake Minnetonka, including Stieger Lake in Victoria and Halsted Bay of Lake Minnetonka. This will help improve the overall ecosystem in lakes. Invasive carp uproot plants and stir up sediment, releasing nutrients that feed algae blooms and disrupting habitat for native fish. Carp removal and control is the first focus in a 10-year strategy to improved wetlands and other habitat in the Six Mile-Halsted Bay subwatershed, one of the watershed districts focus areas. Hennepin County is a partner in this project. Read more in the Star Tribune.

Events

Help plant trees on Hiawatha Avenue

Tree planting Hiawatha

Help beautify the Hiawatha corridor! Join us for a community tree planting to plant more than 70 trees along the bike path.

The tree planting will take place on Saturday, October 20 from 10 a.m. to noon on Hiawatha Avenue between 32nd Street and 38th Street in Minneapolis.

No experience is necessary. Hennepin County foresters will provide all the tools and instruction on how to plant trees. This is a family friendly event. A light breakfast and lunch will be provided.

RSVP to Shane DeGroy at shane.degroy@hennepin.us or calling 612-543-3697.

Litter Be Gone: Minneapolis citywide cleanup

Litter Be Gone

Minneapolis residents are invited to participate in Litter Be Gone, a community-wide litter cleanup taking place October 4 through October 13. Volunteers will pick up litter on their blocks, boulevards, sidewalks, streets, alleys and community green spaces to make the streets clean before the leaves fall and snow begins to fly. 

Participants in team events will receive special offers and discounts from neighborhood businesses. Individuals may also request supplies to clean up on their own. Learn more and sign up.

Class at Hennepin County Library Maple Grove: Energy from renewables – confronting climate change

Learn about the urgency of climate change and alternative renewable energy resources, such as wind and solar, from University of Minnesota Professor Ned Mohan. Mohan will describe climate change caused by our use of fossil fuels, describe available renewable resources, and explain the technology being deployed to harness renewable energy.

This is a two-day class, and participants are encouraged to attend both days. Classes are scheduled for Wednesday, October 10 and 17, from 10 a.m. to noon at the Hennepin County Library - Maple Grove.

Green Tip: Shop better with Choose to Reuse coupons

The choices you make in the stuff you buy and where you shop can help protect the environment and support the local economy. To help you reduce waste and live more sustainably, Hennepin County partners with local retailers that rent, repair, resell, consign and exchange goods to offer deals on quality products.

Choose to Reuse coupons help you save money while supporting local businesses and protecting the environment. Coupons are valid through October 31 at 59 local retailers.

Some ideas for how to use your Choose to Reuse coupons:

Choose to Reuse funky plate

Find a funky plate to complement your mad cooking skills. Visit a participating antique, home goods or thrift store. They’ve got plenty of unique dishes to match your style.

Enjoy the warm grooves of classic tunes. Our partnering music retailers are sure to have the tunes to match your mood.

Choose to Reuse vinyl
Reused Halloween costume

Make your Halloween spooky and distinct. Many thrift stores sell Halloween costumes for less, or get creative and find the pieces to bring your own idea to life.

Develop a unique style that’s both trendy and thrifty. Reuse clothing retailers and thrift stores are an opportunity to find pieces from a variety of brands at a fraction of the cost. 

Choose to Reuse thrifty trendy
Choose to Reuse disposable economy

Avoid the disposable economy. Many of our partnering retailers offer equipment rental, repair services for electronics and household goods, or memberships to toy or tool sharing libraries.

Choose to Reuse has also partnered with retailers specializing in bridal, maternity or children’s goods, home improvement, used books, and sports and recreation.

Learn how to get your coupons now.

Contact us

612-348-3777

environment@hennepin.us

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